America's Best Beaches, 2008

The following table lists the top ten best beaches to visit in the United States for 2008, according to Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, author of America's Best Beaches. In addition, find a list of the previous top-rated beaches in America below.

Name

Location

1.

Caladesi Island State Park

Dunedin, Fla.

2.

Hanalei Beach

Kauai, Hawaii

3.

Siesta Beach

Sarasota, Florida

4.

Coopers Beach

Southampton, New York

5.

Coronado Beach

San Diego, California

6.

Main Beach

East Hampton, New York

7.

Hamoa Beach

Maui, Hawaii

8.

Cape Hatteras

Outer Banks, North Carolina

9.

Cape Florida State Park

Key Biscayne, Florida

10.

Beachwalker Park

Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Previous #1 Winners of the Best
American Beach Award

(excluded from 2008 list)

Year

Name

Location

2007

Ocracoke Lifeguard Beach

Outer Banks, North Carolina

2006

Fleming Beach Park

Maui, Hawaii

2005

Fort DeSoto Park

North Beach, fla.

2004

Hanauma Bay

Oahu, Hawaii

2003

Kaanapali

Hawaii

2002

St. Joseph Peninsula State Park

Florida

2001

Poipu Beach Park

Hawaii

2000

Mauna Kea Beach

Hawaii

1999

Wailea Beach

Hawaii

1998

Kailua Beach Park

Hawaii

1997

Hulopoe

Hawaii

1996

Lanikai Beach

Hawaii

1995

St. Andrews SRA

Florida

1994

Grayton Beach SRA

Florida

1993

Hapuna

Hawaii

1992

Bahia Honda SRA

Florida

1991

Kapalua Bay Beach

Hawaii

Released since 1991, 650 major public
recreational beaches in the U.S. are rated according to 50 criteria.
Source: Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman (aka Dr. Beach), author of
America's Best Beaches and professor of environmental studies at
Florida International University.